How to Build a $10k a Month Online Business for Free
For aspiring nomads who want freedom, not overwhelm...
When I started my nomadic online journey back in 2010, I remember spending hours trying to embed a PayPal button onto a webpage, days building a simple opt-in form, weeks creating a short video course, and months trying to wrangle a basic membership site together.
Today I could probably do the lot in a day. (Actually… that sounds like a fun challenge!)
The point is, starting an online business has never been easier or more accessible than it is right now.
With just a laptop, an internet connection, and a crazy idea you’re excited about, you can start and grow a real, income-generating business—from anywhere in the world.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to building a $10,000/month business using only free tools. No office, tech team, or fancy software required.
Caveat before we dive in: I’m choosing all free tools for this process, but the process remains exactly the same no matter what tools you choose, free or paid. The point is to get started, not get stuck in decision paralysis.
1. Choose Your Niche and Start a Newsletter
Begin by selecting a topic you’re passionate about and knowledgeable in.
Then pick a platform to start sharing your ideas. Ideally one that feels simple to use, has built-in growth tools, and suits your long-term goals.
I’ve decided to double down on Substack, because I think it’s one of the best platforms out there right now for building a personal brand, growing an audience, and generating real online income.
Whether you want to sell courses, coaching, digital products or just fund your travels through writing, it’s a brilliant home base.
Tips to Get Started:
Sign up for a free account at substack.com
Choose a name that reflects your niche — ideally something that sparks curiosity
Write and schedule your first 3–5 posts so you’re not scrambling once you go live
Add a short, simple welcome post so new subscribers know what to expect
Whether you’re blogging from a hammock or batching posts from a cafe in Lisbon, a Substack newsletter can be your portable HQ.
2. Grow Your Audience With One Social Layer
Substack can be a standalone growth tool, especially with Notes, which work a bit like Twitter and are great for finding new readers. But if you want to accelerate your growth, it helps to add a social layer.
This is where platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or LinkedIn come in.
Substack even gives you a gorgeous, ready-made shareable image with every post, so it's super easy to share your writing and get more eyeballs on your newsletter.
That said, unless you’ve got a team ready to help you post and engage everywhere, choose ONE social platform and do it well.
Being visible takes time and energy. Don’t spread yourself thin.
Tips to Get Started:
Pick the platform your audience are on! No good posting 3x a day on Facebook if your audience are 20 something skateboarders
Create a content theme or weekly rhythm that ties in with your newsletter
Use the Substack share images to post excerpts and quotes
Invite people to subscribe, but always give value first
3. Launch a Podcast (or Stream It on Substack!)
Audio content is a fantastic way to connect more deeply with your audience, especially if you’re building a portable brand.
You can start a podcast for free using Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor), which auto-distributes your episodes to all the major platforms like Apple and Google.
Or you can host a podcast directly on Substack. I haven’t tried it myself yet, but other Substackers are reporting great results for both growth and engagement.
They also support video and live streams now, which can seriously fast-track your relationship with your audience.
Tips to Get Started:
Choose a simple format (solo, Q&A, storytelling, short lessons)
Record your first few episodes using your phone or laptop mic, or a compact travel mic like the DJI Wireless (pricey but great quality)
Upload to Spotify or Substack and publish regularly
Hot tip: Depending on your topic, don’t be afraid to record while travelling. A little background sound, some travel insights, and your unique voice can set your podcast apart—especially if it’s recorded from a beach hut in Belize.
4. Interview Experts or Run Free Workshops
Interviews are a great way to build your authority, grow your network, and create valuable content, all at once.
Use Zoom’s free plan (up to 40 minutes per session) to record expert interviews, run mini-masterclasses, or even do live Q&A sessions with your subscribers.
These can be repurposed into podcasts, newsletter content, social snippets, or even a paid product down the line.
Tips to get started:
Create a free Zoom account at zoom.us
Make a list of 5 people you’d love to interview (start with people in your niche or network)
Use tools like PodcastGuests.com or PodMatch to find aligned interviewees
Keep it simple and conversational — no need to be the next Oprah!
5. Create Visual Content
No matter if it’s social graphics, podcast covers, lead magnets, or product mockups, visual content helps you look polished and professional (even when you're working in your swimmers from a beach shack in Mexico).
I’m no designer (at all), but whereas years ago I had a graphic designer on my team, now, thanks to Canva and AI, I can whip most things up myself.
Use Canva’s free version, or generate images with the free version of ChatGPT.
Tips to Get Started:
Sign up at canva.com and play around with templates for social media, newsletter banners, or course thumbnails
Use consistent fonts, colours, and styles that match your vibe
Need quick illustrations or image concepts? Ask ChatGPT to generate them!
6. Create and Package Simple Digital Products
Use Notion, a free and flexible workspace, to build and deliver your digital products, from simple guides and templates to full-blown mini-courses.
You don’t need complicated course platforms or fancy plugins. Notion lets you organise content beautifully and share it with a simple public link.
I recently bought an AI video course hosted entirely on Notion, and it was one of the easiest learning experiences I’ve had.
Whether you’re making a travel planner, a how-to guide, or a mini workshop, Notion’s clean layout and easy sharing features make it perfect for your first (or tenth) product.
Tips to get started:
Create a free account at notion.so
Set up a workspace dedicated to your business or product ideas
Use Notion’s built-in templates to map out your content clearly
When you’re ready, turn on public access and share the link with your buyers
7. Sell Your Digital Products with No Upfront Cost
Use Gumroad, a beginner-friendly ecommerce platform, to sell anything digital, from templates and ebooks to full video courses.
It’s completely free to start, and Gumroad only takes their percentage (10%) once you make a sale.
No monthly fees or tech headaches. And no embedding dodgy PayPal buttons like it’s 2010!
Upload your file, set a price, and start sharing the link. That’s it.
Tips to get started:
Sign up at gumroad.com
Create listings for your digital offers and keep your product titles clear and benefit-led
Upload your file, write a short description, and add a thumbnail image
Set your price and connect your payment details so you can get paid
The Path to $10K a Month
The caveat!
While these fabulous tools provide a free starting point, building a successful business requires commitment, focus, and time.
Here’s some key points to remember:
Consistency is crucial. Regularly produce high-quality content across all your channels, for as long as it takes!
Focus on providing value to your audience before trying to monetise.
Build genuine relationships with your followers and other creators in your niche.
Be patient. It takes time to grow an audience and develop products that sell.
Continuously learn and adapt your strategy based on what works for your audience.
As your business grows, you might want to level up and reinvest in some premium tools to improve your offerings. Or not. It’s up to you!
So What’s Stopping You?
With all these free tools at your fingertips, the main investment needed is your time, energy, and a bit of good old-fashioned gumption.
The barriers to entry have never been lower, especially if you’re building a business you can run from anywhere in the world. But success still depends on your consistency, creativity, and ability to serve your audience well.
Pay close attention to the feedback you get, including likes, comments, shares, and even the silence. Over time, you’ll get a clear sense of what’s resonating and where to focus.
And while starting is free, building something sustainable will require some financial investment as you grow. Be ready to reinvest part of your earnings back into your business, whether you’re working from home or a hammock.
Follow the steps. Keep going. Stay the course.
There’s no reason you can’t build a thriving online business that brings in $10,000/month (or more), and gives you the freedom to live life on your own terms.
The opportunity’s right there — it’s up to you to seize it.
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I love reading your posts. Clear, concise - love the format. Thank you for the tips as I consider my next social media venture....